Vote narrows on China trade bill

Tuesday, May 23, 2000 | 11:37 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

WASHINGTON -- Both sides stepped up a lobbying blitz on the eve of House debate over whether to liberalize trade ties with China. Supporters cautiously predicted victory, while labor unions and other opponents insisted the battle was not over.

Nevada's delegation in Congress seemed split on the issue today. Rep. Shelley Berkley, a Democrat, and Rep. Jim Gibbons, a Republican, who often differ on a variety of issues, agree they will vote against the bill.

But Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., supports the proposed new trade policy. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate's minority whip, is undecided, an aide said today.

With 218 votes needed for passage, the Clinton administration and its allies in Congress were believed to be eight to 10 votes short.

"We feel it's working our way," Rep. Robert Matsui, D-Calif., the administration's point man among Democrats, said late Monday.

Attention shifted today to the House Rules Committee, which will frame the terms and length of Wednesday's debate. Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., the committee chairman, said he hopes for a final vote Wednesday as well.

Democratic and Republican vote counters said the outcome may not be known until the final House roll call is under way. Both sides fished in a dwindling pool of undecided members.

China trade advocates -- which includes much of corporate America -- suggested they would prevail if they could just obtain the support of at least half the remaining fence-sitters. But no one suggested the vote would be anything other than extremely close.

"We are getting close," President Clinton said in a Monday night NBC interview. "I am optimistic, but boy, we have got a lot of work to do. It's not done yet."

Today, Clinton reminded lawmakers to consider future generations before voting.

"The consequences of this vote will be felt after I am no longer president," Clinton said. "Our country fought three wars in Asia in the last half-century. We ought to give our children a chance to have a different 50 years ahead of us."

Vice President Al Gore, meanwhile, told a union group that he knows organized labor opposes the bill but "I don't share that view."

"I strongly support normal trade relations with China because I believe it is right for America's economy and right for the cause of reform in China," the Democratic presidential candidate told about 150 United Food and Commercial Workers members in Washington to lobby against the measure.

"Neither side has the votes now," asserted Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., a leading opponent.

The bill would grant China permanent normal trading relations as part of its impending entry into the World Trade Organization, the Geneva-based organization that sets rules for trade and adjudicates disputes among members.

In return for America's support for its bid to join the WTO, China would dismantle barriers that U.S. corporations and farmers have long complained about.

China will enter the WTO whatever happens.

In related matters Monday:

Still, Wolf, said, "the law is clear about using federal employees and federal resources for lobbying Congress -- it's illegal."

An Associated Press survey showed that as of late Monday, about 80 House members still wanted to be listed as "undecided." However, vote counters on both sides said the actual undecided vote -- counting those that have given private pledges -- was closer to 15-20.

Sun Washington reporter Benjamin Grove contributed to this report.